Notification

Electronic Notification
All correspondence regarding financial aid is communicated to the student electronically.  Students are encouraged to create their myUMBC account as soon as they are admitted to the University.  Students can view a variety of information via myUMBC including financial aid awards and required documents.

The Financial Aid Package
Financial aid is available to students with financial need and those without financial need. Our office uses the FAFSA results to determine eligibility for the various financial aid programs. The total amount of financial aid that a student receives is referred to as the financial aid package. The financial aid package will reflect all federal, state and university offers of aid, including scholarships, grants and student need-based employment. Since the initial financial aid package is provided several months prior to the student’s enrollment, it is determined based on the following assumptions:

• Student will be enrolled full-time (12 credits undergraduate/24 units graduate)
• Loan amounts are based on the grade level reported by the student on the FAFSA
• Living status as reported by the student on the FAFSA
• State residency as reported by the student on the FAFSA

Our office sends financial aid package notifications beginning in April. You should retain a copy of all correspondence from our office for your records, after reading it carefully and making certain that you understand the information. 

The Merit Scholarship Division within the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and other academic departments make decisions concerning recipients for merit-based scholarships. Students who filed the FAFSA in a timely manner could receive a financial aid package with these scholarships listed. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and other academic departments send separate notices to their scholarship recipients as well.

Adjustments to Initial Award Package
Adjustments to the initial award package may be necessary if additional information is received that is different from the assumptions used to determine the original package.  If you are receiving additional awards that are not included in your financial aid package you must notify our office. Other awards that may affect your eligibility include, but are not limited to: private scholarships, tuition waivers (including RA waivers) and assistantships.  Please note, any changes to the FAFSA data, including, but not limited to:

• Review of your FAFSA due to Verification
• Corrections made by the student
• Corrections made by staff  due to conflicting University data

may result in an adjustment to your financial aid package.  You will receive an electronic notification each time your award package has been adjusted.